that can be from another state in the united states or from other countries. so when you see a butterfly that's from costa rica, it is actually from costa rica and it's come here on a plane as a chrysalis. >> reporter: the average life- span of a butterfly is two weeks? >> yes. >> reporter: one of the things you do is release the butterflies? >> these imported species are kept in a separate room to protect -- to make sure that no parasites or diseases or anything comes -- if it comes with them, it's going to stay in that room and we candice infect. any butterfly that emerges from its chrysalis gets put into a transport cage and brought into the exhibit and hopefully they will warm up here. they were just flying around just a minute ago. >> reporter: it's chilly for them, too. they like warmer weather. >> it is. but we'll get them going. >> so gentle. look at that. >> usually they just want to get out and get going. >> there they go. there goes a nice brown tiger. >> reporter: on any given day how many different species will you have here? >> any from 30 to 80.